You remember that Vikings vs Chargers clash, right? The one that had zero chill from kickoff to the final whistle. If you love offensive fireworks, bold play-calling, and quarterbacks slinging the ball like they play backyard football, this game gave you everything.
Both teams walked in with something to prove. The Vikings wanted consistency. The Chargers wanted control. What we got instead felt like controlled chaos. So let’s break down the Minnesota Vikings vs Chargers match player stats and figure out who truly owned the spotlight.
Contents
- 1 Game Overview: A Battle of Aggressive Offenses
- 2 Quarterback Duel: Cousins vs Herbert
- 3 Wide Receiver Performances: Star Power Everywhere
- 4 Running Game: Supporting Cast or Afterthought?
- 5 Defensive Impact: Big Plays and Missed Opportunities
- 6 Turnovers and Game-Changing Moments
- 7 Red Zone Efficiency: Execution Matters
- 8 Third Down Conversions: Sustaining Drives
- 9 Total Team Comparison Snapshot
- 10 Coaching Decisions: Aggression vs Control
- 11 Fantasy Football Fallout
- 12 Key Takeaways From Minnesota Vikings vs Chargers Match Player Stats
- 13 What This Game Revealed About Both Teams
- 14 Individual Player Breakdown: Who Helped Their Stock?
- 15 Final Thoughts on Minnesota Vikings vs Chargers Match Player Stats
Game Overview: A Battle of Aggressive Offenses
The scoreboard told a clear story. The Chargers edged the Vikings 28–24 in a game that never slowed down.
Both quarterbacks threw for over 350 yards. Both teams leaned heavily on their passing attacks. And both defenses struggled to close drives when it mattered most.
You could feel the tension on every third down. One mistake would flip momentum. And guess what? Mistakes happened.
Quarterback Duel: Cousins vs Herbert
Let’s start where every fan starts the quarterbacks.
Kirk Cousins: Gunslinger Mode Activated
Kirk Cousins came out firing. He attacked deep zones early and trusted his receivers to win contested balls.
He finished with:
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32 completions on 50 attempts
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367 passing yards
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3 touchdowns
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1 interception
Cousins pushed the ball vertically. He targeted Justin Jefferson relentlessly. He trusted Jordan Addison in tight windows. He controlled tempo in the fourth quarter.
He also forced one throw into coverage that led to a costly interception. That mistake shifted momentum at the worst possible time. Still, you cannot ignore 367 yards and 3 scores against a talented secondary.
IMO, Cousins played like a quarterback who refused to lose. The defense simply gave him no margin for error.
Justin Herbert: Calm and Clinical
Justin Herbert looked surgical.
He completed 40 of 47 passes, which translates to an absurd 85% completion rate. That stat alone deserves attention.
He posted:
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405 passing yards
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3 touchdowns
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0 interceptions
Herbert shredded Minnesota’s secondary with short rhythm throws and quick reads. He exploited soft zones. He punished blitz packages. He never forced risky passes.
You know what impressed me most? He stayed patient. He took what the defense gave him and waited for busted coverage before attacking deep.
A 400-yard, mistake-free performance wins games. Period.
Wide Receiver Performances: Star Power Everywhere
This matchup felt like a fantasy football gold mine.
Justin Jefferson: Superstar Standard
Jefferson once again proved why defenses lose sleep over him.
He recorded:
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7 receptions
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149 receiving yards
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1 touchdown
Jefferson beat double coverage. He won jump balls. He turned short routes into chunk gains.
He made one sideline catch that looked routine on replay but required elite body control. Only top-tier receivers make those grabs consistently.
When Cousins needed yards, he looked for Jefferson. Simple.
Jordan Addison: Rookie With Swagger
Jordan Addison added:
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6 catches
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52 yards
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1 touchdown
He ran crisp routes. He found soft spots in coverage. He capitalized in the red zone.
Addison might not have posted huge yardage, but he delivered efficiency. He converted scoring opportunities, and that matters.
Keenan Allen: Veteran Masterclass
Keenan Allen ran the Chargers’ offense like a chess grandmaster.
He posted:
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18 receptions
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215 receiving yards
Yes, you read that right. Eighteen catches. Two hundred fifteen yards.
Allen dominated the slot. He exploited linebackers. He bullied safeties with route precision.
Herbert targeted him 20 times. Allen rewarded that trust almost every single time.
That performance ranks among the most productive receiving outings of the season.
Mike Williams: Physical Presence
Mike Williams chipped in:
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7 catches
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121 yards
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1 touchdown
Williams stretched the field. He forced defenders to respect the deep ball. He caught a critical touchdown in tight coverage.
The Chargers balanced Allen’s precision with Williams’ physicality. That combination overwhelmed Minnesota’s coverage schemes.
Running Game: Supporting Cast or Afterthought?
Let’s be honest. This game leaned heavily on the pass. Still, the run game influenced key moments.
Vikings Ground Attack
Alexander Mattison carried the ball 8 times for 31 yards.
That stat screams imbalance.
The Vikings abandoned the run early. They trusted Cousins to carry the offense. That decision produced yards but created predictability.
When you throw 50 times, defenses eventually adjust.
Chargers Ground Game
Joshua Kelley handled most carries with:
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11 rushes
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12 yards
Not impressive.
However, Kelley scored 1 rushing touchdown, which proved crucial. The Chargers used short-yardage runs strategically instead of force-feeding carries.
They did not chase rushing totals. They chased efficiency.
Defensive Impact: Big Plays and Missed Opportunities
Both defenses struggled with consistency.
Vikings Defense
Minnesota allowed 405 passing yards. That number tells the story.
They failed to generate consistent pressure. They allowed clean pockets. They missed tackles in open space.
However, they still produced 4 sacks and forced 1 fumble. Danielle Hunter applied pressure repeatedly.
The defense showed flashes but lacked discipline in coverage rotations.
Chargers Defense
The Chargers surrendered 475 total yards.
That stat does not scream dominance.
Still, they made timely stops. They forced a red-zone field goal. They intercepted Cousins at a pivotal moment.
Derwin James controlled the middle of the field. The defensive line disrupted plays late in the fourth quarter.
Sometimes you don’t need perfection. You just need the final stop.
Turnovers and Game-Changing Moments
One interception changed everything.
Cousins forced a throw into coverage late in the fourth quarter. Asante Samuel Jr. stepped in front of the pass and flipped momentum instantly.
That turnover allowed Herbert to engineer the go-ahead drive.
Momentum swings win games in tight contests. The Chargers capitalized. The Vikings did not recover.
Red Zone Efficiency: Execution Matters
Both teams moved the ball effectively between the 20s.
The Chargers converted 3 of 4 red zone trips into touchdowns. The Vikings converted 3 of 5.
Those two extra possessions made the difference.
In high-scoring games, you cannot settle for field goals. The Chargers understood that.
Third Down Conversions: Sustaining Drives
The Vikings converted 7 of 14 third downs.
The Chargers converted 7 of 11.
Herbert’s efficiency kept drives alive. Allen consistently created separation on third and medium situations.
The Vikings stayed competitive, but the Chargers controlled critical downs more effectively.
Total Team Comparison Snapshot
Now let’s summarize all major player and team stats in one clear table.
| Category | Minnesota Vikings | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 24 | 28 |
| Total Yards | 475 | 475+ |
| Passing Yards | 367 | 405 |
| Rushing Yards | 108 | 70 |
| First Downs | 28 | 26 |
| Third Down Conversions | 7/14 | 7/11 |
| Red Zone TDs | 3/5 | 3/4 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Sacks | 4 | 2 |
| Top Passer | Kirk Cousins – 367 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT | Justin Herbert – 405 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT |
| Top Receiver | Justin Jefferson – 149 YDS | Keenan Allen – 215 YDS |
| Leading Rusher | Alexander Mattison – 31 YDS | Joshua Kelley – 12 YDS, 1 TD |
That table paints the whole picture. Yardage stayed nearly equal. Efficiency separated the winner.
Coaching Decisions: Aggression vs Control
Kevin O’Connell leaned heavily on the passing game. He trusted Cousins to carry the offense.
Brandon Staley allowed Herbert to operate aggressively but protected the ball.
The Vikings chased big plays. The Chargers chased smart plays.
You tell me which strategy wins more often in tight games.
Fantasy Football Fallout
If you played fantasy football, this game likely boosted your mood.
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Herbert delivered elite QB numbers.
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Allen exploded with a monster performance.
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Jefferson remained reliable.
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Addison delivered value in the red zone.
If you started either quarterback, you probably smiled by halftime.
Key Takeaways From Minnesota Vikings vs Chargers Match Player Stats
Let’s keep this simple.
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Justin Herbert dominated efficiency metrics.
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Keenan Allen delivered one of the season’s best receiving games.
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The Vikings relied too heavily on the pass.
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Turnovers defined the outcome.
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Red zone execution separated the teams.
This game highlighted offensive talent across the board.
What This Game Revealed About Both Teams
The Vikings showed explosive potential but exposed defensive vulnerabilities.
They can score against anyone. They must fix coverage breakdowns if they want consistent wins.
The Chargers showed balance through precision, not rushing dominance.
Herbert’s decision-making elevated the entire offense. Allen’s route running gave the unit rhythm.
If the Chargers maintain that offensive efficiency, they will compete against any defense in the league.
Individual Player Breakdown: Who Helped Their Stock?
Stock Up
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Justin Herbert – Elite command and accuracy.
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Keenan Allen – Historic receiving output.
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Justin Jefferson – Continues to dominate coverage.
Stock Neutral
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Kirk Cousins – Strong numbers but costly mistake.
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Jordan Addison – Efficient but not explosive.
Stock Down
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Vikings Secondary – Allowed 400+ yards.
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Chargers Run Game – Minimal production.
Final Thoughts on Minnesota Vikings vs Chargers Match Player Stats
You rarely see two quarterbacks combine for over 770 passing yards in one game. You rarely see a receiver rack up 215 yards on 18 catches.
This matchup delivered pure offensive drama.
The Vikings showed grit. The Chargers showed control. The difference came down to execution under pressure.
Football often rewards discipline over desperation. The Chargers embraced that mindset.
If you love analyzing quarterback duels and elite receiver performances, this game gave you a masterclass.
Next time these two teams meet, expect fireworks again. Just hope the defenses show up before halftime.

